The Ultimate Guide to Cat Eye Glasses

Cat eye glasses are often labeled vintage or retro, but they're solidly in timeless-style territory – almost right up there with a little black dress. You know what's amazing? While fashion trends come, go, and some of them make a return, cat eye glasses frames aren't going anywhere. Popularized by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn and worn by modern-day stars like Bella Hadid and Rihanna, cat eye glasses are always in style. In this complete guide, we'll take you through their history, reveal who they suit best, and share practical tips for finding your pair.

These are eyewear frames with an upward sweep at the outer corners, inspired by the form of a cat's eye. A soft "wing" that the corners create adds visual lift, defines cheekbones, and draws attention to the eyes. Today you'll find these spectacles in prescription optical and sunglass versions, in shapes that run the gamut from slim rims to oversized retro classics.

Altina Schinasi set out to create feminine glasses that could make women look and feel beautiful while wearing them. What we now know as cat eye eyeglasses were originally named Harlequin glasses, inspired by the Comedia Dell'Arte harlequin masks that Tina admired in Venice. Armed with nothing but cut paper and a vision, Tina created her first designs. The response from the big optical companies was brutal: they dismissed the prototypes entirely.

Left: "The Wayward Bus" (1957): Jayne Mansfield and Joan Collins in studio promotion shots. Right: Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall in classic cat-eye glasses.

Collaborations of fashion houses and optical companies have elevated womens cat eye glasses to luxury status. These days, designer cat eye eyeglass frames are a staple of couture eyewear collections of major luxury brands. They regularly show up on the faces of celebrities, including but not limited to Gigi and Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Scarlett Johansson, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

Left: Scarlett Johansson styled with Tom Ford Nikita sunglasses. Center: Rihanna pairs her look with Cutler and Gross diamond-encrusted frames. Right: Gigi Hadid spotted wearing black cat-eye sunglasses.

It's safe to say cat eye glasses flatter any face shape. The secret isn't whether you can wear cat eyes - it's which shape and size of the frame you pick. Use this face-shape guide as a starting point.

Here's the thing about cat eye glasses – they can look absolutely stunning or completely wrong, and it all comes down to getting the technical stuff right.

Start with the width: your cat eye frames should match the width of your cheekbones or extend just a touch beyond, so the temples rest naturally. Make sure the bridge sits snugly on your nose without sliding. Double-check your pupillary distance (PD) with your optician—this ensures your lenses align properly for both sharp vision and the sleek, lifted look cat eyes are known for. Lastly, make sure the temples (arms) are the right length to keep the fit secure and comfortable.

Tom Ford Cat Eye Sunglasses

Tortoiseshell is a classic of eyewear colors. Universally flattering, sophisticated, and timeless. It works with virtually every skin tone and hair color, making it the safest bet if you're investing in just one pair.

Black cat eye glasses are bold, sharp, and give off serious editorial energy. A color that suits any style of clothing you choose and creates the strongest contrast against your face.

For the color adventurous, pastels and unexpected pops are having a major moment. Soft mauve, sage green, or sky blue frames are trend-forward and perfect if you're looking to add a striking detail.

For finish, glossy acetates feel polished, matte adds softness, while clear cat eye glasses give airy transparency.

Left: Yves Saint Laurent cat eye sunglasses with tortoiseshell acetate frames. Right: Gwyneth Paltrow in Saint Laurent's M103 black cat-eye sunglasses for the Spring 2025 campaign.

Cat eye prescription glasses can be fitted with single-vision lenses (for one distance) or progressives (the no-line bifocals that handle multiple distances seamlessly). If you're going progressive, make sure your frames have adequate vertical lens height.

If you're glued to screens all day (and honestly, who isn't these days?), cat eye blue light  glasses can help reduce eye strain. In eyecat sunglasses, look for polarized lenses that allow for glare reduction. Consider gradient tints where the darker top fades to lighter bottom, which not just looks chic but also provides sun protection where you need it most. 

• Work. Black or tortoise medium-wing cat eyes with a blazer or knit set.

• Weekend. Crystal or pastel frames with denim, tees, and sneakers.

• Evening. Oversized or glossy black cat eyes with slip dresses, tailoring, or monochrome fits.

• Makeup. Let your liner echo the upsweep; brush up brows to balance the lift.

• Accessories. Keep earrings simple with bold cat eyes; go playful with slim micro frames.

Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses are all about that dramatic presence. They bring instant Hollywood glamour; you decide whether you're going for vintage allure or a modern touch. Great for oval faces or anyone wanting a statement.

Slim & Small Cat Eye Glasses. These frames are fashion-forward and sleek; we love how this look pairs with any makeup, from minimal nude to the classic red lipstick, black eyeliner look.

The Retro Thick-Rim Style takes its cue from the iconic 1950s cat eye glasses. The eyewear brings the mood of that iconic epoch and looks undeniably striking in black or classic deep tortoise. But in 2025, the design goes far beyond tradition with playful prints, gradients, and vibrant hues.

Minimalist Wire Cat Eye. These frames feature lightweight, fresh, easy-to-wear designs. Adjustable nose pads help dial in the fit. This eyewear style is a safe everyday choice that takes any look up a notch.

Cat eye shaped glasses have officially entered the tech era – they've gone smart! No longer are they just about vintage charm. The Ray-Ban Meta Skyler model of AI glasses officially proves: cat eyes are not just in style these days but leading the charge into wearable tech.

Under the classic winged corners you get a 12MP ultra-wide camera, open-ear speakers, and a 5-mic array, all tied to Meta AI for hands-free help, so you can capture POV photos/video, listen to music, take calls, and ask questions without pulling out your phone. There's sizable 32GB onboard storage, good for about 500+ photos or 100+ 30-second clips. These smart glasses can be had with  Transitions lenses that adapt to indoor/outdoor light conditions.

Ready to find your pair? Shop cat-eye eyewear at EuroOptica. We carry a wide range of luxury cat-eye glasses for women and men, from slim and minimalist to bold, vintage-inspired designs – so you can match the exact look and fit you want. Try them instantly with our virtual try-on or stop by one of our three stores located in the heart of Manhattan. We're waiting for you here 7 days a week: 280 Columbus Ave (Upper West Side), 463 Amsterdam Ave (Upper West Side), 1249 3rd Ave (Upper East Side).